This is just my opinion, of course, but the concept of singular is a subtle but important factor in much of Japanese culture. It implies taking a step back to admire something that might be slightly deviant, or unsettling in some way. To coolly observe something repellent and unpleasant and appreciate it as a form of beauty for entertainment. I find that psychology fascinating. Take the ideogram for “singular” for instance, which also contains the meaning of “suspect and unusual”. I see in that a kind of warped humour. With echoes of a sadistic joke, a brutal awakening, or a detached gaze.

This was an amazing, complex, creepy, brilliant artistic literary achievement. I’m going to take some time to process it before writing more, but I really loved it.